Ontario Electricity Support Program (OESP)

1. Do I Qualify?

If you are a customer of an electric utility and in a lower income home, you may qualify for a reduction on your electricity bill through the Ontario Electricity Support Program (OESP). It is also available to customers of unit sub-meter providers and retail energy companies.​

Complete the online application (you will see it on the home page). Print and sign the consent form and mail it to the address provided on our website.

You will be notified of eligibility after your application and signed consent form have been reviewed.

If eligible, the credit will appear directly on your electricity bill in about 6 to 8 weeks from the date of approval. You will receive OESP for 2 years before having to reapply.

Note: If you have not filed an income tax return recently, or if your situation has changed since you last filed, you can apply for OESP through a designated agency (Dixie Bloor Neighbourhood Centre).*

*Please call 905-629-1873, and an agency representative will guide you through the process​

Documents

The client must bring the following supporting documents* to the appointment, in order to complete the OESP Application

Current energy bills for their residence. The bill should have the client’s name and current address on it – these should verify the amount of arrears;

Notice of Service Disconnection, if applicable;

Applicant Identification – two pieces of I.D. for the main applicant, and 1 piece of I.D. for each of the other household members are required;

Copy of rental receipt, lease or mortgage document;

Proof of household income – pay stubs or OW or ODSP stub or Income tax return, a letter from the employer; (for all household members over the age of 18)

Bank statement from the most recent month. (for all bank account and for all members of the household over the age of 18)

​******Please have all documents photocopied and if there are any missing document the appointment will be re-scheduled.******​

4. What Support Could I Receive?

OESP will reduce the cost of your household electricity by applying a monthly credit directly to your bill.

The amount of the credit depends on two factors:

how many people live in the home and

your combined household income.

For example, a home with 4 people and an annual income of $37,000 will receive an on-bill credit of $34 each month.

OESP credit amounts

LEVEL OF HOUSEHOLD INCOME ($)

NUMBER OF PEOPLE LIVING IN HOME

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1

2

3

4

5

6

7+

Less than 28,000

$45

$45

$51

$57

$63

$75

$75

28,001 – 39,000

$40

$45

$51

$57

$63

$75

39,001 – 48,000

$35

$40

$45

$51

$57

48,001 – 52,000

$35

$40

$45

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Note: amount of credit is subject to regulatory approval and may change.

If your home is electrically heated, or you rely on medical devices requiring a lot of power, OESP offers a higher level of assistance. First Nations and Métis will also qualify for a higher level of assistance.

Note: amount of credit is subject to regulatory approval and may change.

There are three at-home medical devices that will qualify an applicant for the higher level of assistance:

Kidney Dialysis Machine

Mechanical Ventilators (invasive and non-invasive)

Oxygen Concentrator

5. How long is the OESP eligibility period?

Most eligible customers need to re-apply every 2 years or whenever their personal circumstances change. For example, eligible customers would need to re-apply if they move or experience a change in income level.